Selling Yourself: Resumés and Portfolios

Posted July 14, 2009 in Branding, Design with 1 Comment

I recently made a comment on Freelance Folder’s article, “Open Thread: Do You Have a PDF or Web Portfolio?“:

As a designer who has constantly updated his website (6 times over 5 years), I’ve finally come to a solution I’m proud of for displaying my work (jasonlarosedesign.com). So therefore, if you’re a web designer, a pdf wouldn’t exactly suffice as it doesn’t show what you can do with your site (and code). I also believe that its best to have a print-based portfolio. Something that can ‘wow’ the person interviewing you to show the full extent of what you can do. If your print-based portfolio can easily be converted into a well designed pdf, then all the more better.

My bottom-line thought: Create your portfolio in what you do best (website for web design, print for print design, pdf for writer), and branch out from there.

I’d like to expand on my comment. It goes without saying that your portfolio is the most important piece about you and your career. Its one of the only physical objects that makes you stand out from the crowd and receive the call saying you’re hired. That being said, for a designer, I think its even more important what your portfolio and resume look like.

Resumés

Conventionally, resumés should be professional, easy to read, contain good grammar and follow a standard format. But what does that say about the designer who claims to think differently? They send in their resumé which looks like all others and gets lost in the shuffle as a result. Only upon skimming does the hiring manager notice what they can do, with no initial impact of design. As a designer who is currently thinking of updating his resumé, I’ve realized that I have subconsciously fallen into that category, providing a bland resumé. I think one thing a designer can do to generate that first initial spark to really stand out from the rest is to design their resumé under their personal brand—keeping it clean, professional and easy to read, staying away from small text, background images, etc. This can be tricky, and for it to work successfully, it would have to be well thought-out.

Portfolios

Everyone says your portfolio should contain your best work. I disagree with that statement. Your portfolio should BE your best work. After all, you’re applying for a job because you want it, why would you show your prospecting employer a mediocre display of great designs? A designer can leave a greater impact showcasing his work by shuffling through cards than turning pages. A designer’s best work tends to contain client critiques and suggestions, some of which are good enough for a portfolio, but yet, we still aren’t 100% satisfied with. There is no client involved with your portfolio, so why not make that the best work you do?

You’re a designer, show it. Do something different. Share your thoughts in the comments section if you have any.